Weed-killing composition.



GEORGE PERRY, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

WEED-KILLING COMPOSITION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 652,686, dated June 26,1900.

Application filed November 2 0, 1 8 9 9,

To all whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE PERRY, a citizen of the United States,residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State ofLouisiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Liquid Compoundsfor Destroying ater-Hyacinth and other IVater- Plants, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention contemplates the provision of a simple and inexpensiveliquid compound designed more particularly for destroyingWater-hyacinth, and one which, while highly efficient for the purposestated, is not liable to kill or injure fish inthe streams or otherbodies of water where it is applied.

The compound consists of the following ingredients, combined in aboutthe proportions stated, viz: Water, one gallon; arsenic, three drachms;sodium chloride, fourteen drachms; potassium nitrate, four drachms.

In preparing the compound I add the arsenic to one-half gallon of waterand heat the mixture to 212 Fahrenheit for five hours and then let thesame cool until its temperature is about 100 Fahrenheit. I then add thesodium chloride and potassium nitrate and sufficient water to make onegallon of the compound and let the samestand until cool, when it isready for use.

The purpose of the sodium chloride and potassium nitrate is to retainthe arsenic in solution on the plants and assist itin workingits way tothe heart of the roots of a plant, so as to enable it to quicklyaccomplish its purpose.

The compound is preferably applied to the upper portion of the leaves ofwater-hyacinth when the same are in full bloom through the medium of aforce-pump provided with a nozzle calculated to throw a fine spray.W'hen thus applied, the compound will touch both the leaf and bloom ofthe plant and will quickly work itsway to the heart of the roots.

Serial No. 737,659- (No specimens.)

As soon as it does this the heart, which is normally snow-white,turnsblack and the plant as a whole is killed.

ater-hyacinth grows very thick and high, and hence it is difficult togain access to the heart of the roots. This renders it necessary toapply the compound to the upper portions of the leaves and to employ acompound of such nature that it is adapted to remain in a moistcondition on the leaves and work its way down to the heart of the rootsof the plant. The thickness of the growth of the plants and theapplication of the compound to the upper portions of the leaves and theblooms thereof greatly lessen the liability of any of the compoundreaching the water in which the plants are located. If, however, thecompound reaches the Water, the proportion of arsenic is so small as notto prove injurious to fish. It will be found to be highly efiicient indestroying water-hyacinth and similar vegetation, but will not injure orkill fish in streams or other bodies of water where it is used.

While designed more particularly for the destruction of water-hyacinth,it is obvious that my improved compound may be used to advantage in thedestruction of other obnoxious water-plants.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- Theherein-described liquid compound for destroying water-hyacinth andsimilar obnoxious water-plants, consisting of arsenic, sodium chloride,potassium nitrate and water in about the proportions specified for thepurposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

GEORGE PERRY.

Witnesses:

ALBERT OnAsTANr, JNO. R. LEGIER.

